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Saskatchewan Children’s Advocate Marvin Bernstein speaks publicly about “systemic” overcrowding in foster homes,
Saskatchewan Children’s Advocate Marvin Bernstein speaks publicly about “systemic” overcrowding in foster homes, especially in the Saskatoon area, where some foster families are caring for more than 15 children at once.
Bernstein says his office has been investigating the problem for more than a year and is preparing to release a report outlining the issues and recommending strategies. -
Bernstein’s office sends a preliminary copy of the report which would later be released as "A Breach of Trust" to the Ministry of Social Services.
Bernstein’s office sends a preliminary copy of the report which would later be released as "A Breach of Trust" to the Ministry of Social Services. -
Two unidentified Saskatoon-based Child and Family Services managers are sent home...
Two unidentified Saskatoon-based Child and Family Services managers are sent home with pay. Social Services deputy minister Allan Hansen confirms the existence of an internal investigation into “certain concerns,” but will not disclose any details and refuses to comment on whether the situation is related to the issue of overcrowded foster homes. -
Bernstein releases his scathing 94-page report, A Breach of Trust, to the public.
Bernstein releases his scathing 94-page report, A Breach of Trust, to the public. (PDF)
It notes that almost half of foster children in the province were living in homes that were considered overcrowded as of Dec. 31, 2008. -
An unidentified three-year-old boy dies of a treatable chest infection in a dirty, overcrowded foster home in the town of Pense.
An unidentified three-year-old boy dies of a treatable chest infection in a dirty, overcrowded foster home in the town of Pense.
An inquiry into the death would later hear evidence that concerns about the state of the home had been raised several times before, but children continued to be placed there. Six of them lived in the home at the time of the death.
The foster parents had an “impressive resume” and were ongoing trainers of other foster families, a Ministry staffer told the inquiry. -
22-month-old Evander Daniels is left alone in a bathtub and drowns, his body covered in scalding burns.
At another overcrowded rural foster home near Saskatoon, 22-month-old Evander Daniels is left alone in a bathtub and drowns, his body covered in scalding burns. There are five toddlers under the age of four in the home. One of the foster parents, Eunice Wudrich, is eventually charged with criminal negligence.
Speaking to a reporter after the boy’s death is made public, Bernstein calls for legislated policies to limit the number of foster kids allowed in a single home. -
The 2010 Annual Report of the Children’s Advocate is tabled in the legislature by Bob Pringle, who has taken over the position from Bernstein.
The 2010 Annual Report of the Children’s Advocate is tabled in the legislature by Bob Pringle, who has taken over the position from Bernstein. The report notes that the number of children dying or suffering critical injuries while in care of the government is growing.
Social Services Minister June Draude attributes the increase to better reporting mechanisms, not worsening conditions. -
Pringle releases a progress report on foster home overcrowding. It describes significant improvement.
Pringle releases a progress report on foster home overcrowding. It describes significant improvement. The number of children in overcrowded homes has dropped to 28.8 per cent of those in foster care in 2010, from 48.5 per cent in 2008.
However, Pringle says there are still too many kids — almost 500 of them — living in foster homes that lack the capacity to safely care for them. -
Pringle’s office releases its annual report for 2011.
Pringle’s office releases its annual report for 2011. The report expresses disappointment that “minimal improvement” had been made in 2011 to further reduce the number of overcrowded foster homes. The overall number of foster homes in the province continues to decline.
“We remain deeply concerned about children and youth living in foster homes that may not have the capacity to care for them safely,” Pringle wrote.
